Northwest ISD faces larger class sizes after tax rate proposal fails
NORTH TEXAS – Voters' failure to approve a tax rate change Tuesday in Northwest ISD will result in increased class sizes, the district said in announcing preliminary results.
The proposal would have increased the district's maintenance and operations tax rate by 3 cents to "maintain class sizes and student programs," a news release said.
Facing a $15.8 million budget deficit, the district said the class-size adjustments will match neighboring school districts. School and district leaders will soon start the budget process for 2025-2026.
A successful vote would have generated $16 million in new funding, according to the district.
"While we're disappointed in the result, we understand that increases in any tax rate are challenging for taxpayers," said Dr. Mark Foust, superintendent of Northwest ISD. "Northwest ISD will continue to engage our lawmakers in the hopes that they will stop withholding funding that benefits students and teachers. School districts are facing unprecedented choices that have a direct impact on the classroom, and it's time for our state leaders to step up and do what's right for the 5.5 million children in Texas public schools."
Meanwhile, the district is urging residents to contact elected officials before the next legislative session kicks off in January 2025 to back adequate public school funding.
Plans are for votes to be finalized at a special Nov. 19 school board meeting.